SKB4 - Chapter 3 - The New Home (Patreon)

As Nick arrived in the city of Frosthaven, the essence was denser than it had ever been. The city had a near electric fervor building in it, the people moving about with excitement and purpose. It seemed that the people involved in the assault on Shadowvale had become more, and now had even more admiration and loyalty for Nick and his kingdom.

And hundreds more benefited, the people within his city feeling the dense essence. Essence was potential. It was vindication. Over a thousand people’s destinies and their future generations just changed for the better, and they all understood it was due to Nick and his Followers–an extension of his will.

But Nick could also feel something odd festering within it. A vague feeling of wrongness, like a looming fear or concern about a bad prognosis. There were numerous people now within his city that didn’t have the faith or gratitude of the rest of the citizens, that harbored negative feelings in their heart for Nick.

Because once again, Nick’s actions and choices had harmed people, and perhaps even good people. The people who stood against him had been punished or killed. Even if justice was brought to the people who had done wrong, each of these groups had families, and those who remained now feared this new city and what came next.

Those same people believed it was only a matter of time before Nick paid for crossing Blackthorne, and they would be stuck in the crosshairs of the angry bandit lord. In time, they might learn of his virtue from those loyal to him, and they may change their minds. Or, they would ignore these things, and their hate would only grow.

The Cathedral of Seraphara now had a central tower that rose high above the city, which had the defensive structure from his reward. In all, it looked like an obelisk with a giant book opened on top, with Seraphara symbolism all over it. A prism floated above it, and Nick knew that the adherents and clergy of Seraphara could charge the Light of Wisdom by using their faith, and fire a devastating attack against aggressors of their virtuous city.

And the new Path of the Shadow Predator tower stood on the West side of the city, casting shadows over the merged buildings. It was a black obelisk, with images of hunting animals and hunters all over it. Nick also noticed that the hill, or mountain the city was placed on, had grown taller. The walls of his city had also extended out further as a result. 

The work on paving and expanding the roads heading East to Silverbrook was still underway. He knew it would be quite some time, but they now had hundreds working on this task and have made excellent headway. 

From clearing trees to tamping down the ground both physically and with earth magic, his people were working hard. The Orion people were stronger than Earth humans thanks to being empowered by Essence, and got a lot of work done each day.

As Nick’s vehicle and the Star Oni rode in on bikes arrived into the main circular plaza where the Ordeals were contained, a welcoming party of Nick’s followers was present, with very few normal citizens visible at the outskirts. While they did see people on the way in, it was already evening, and they had come from the direction of where the obelisk had cast its shadows, so the casual viewer did not easily spot their approach and entry. 

Agatha, Lothar Renzou, Eirwen, Rebecca, Luna, Marissa and many of his Followers, along with the Priestesses of Seraphara were there, ready to greet Nick and their new allies. He also saw Turon, the previous ambassador of Shadowvale, the large bear beastfolk looking more than a little surprised at their entry.

Lothar’s laugh was booming. “There’s the young lord. Strong, and victorious! While we were fighting in Shadowvale, our lord was facing Elron and Thresh, and rescuing the Outlanders–the Star Oni of Starhold! A tremendous victory over Blackthorne’s forces.” 

Patting Shara’s knees, he rushed off the utility vehicle, and shook Lothar and Renzou’s hands as they welcomed him back. The essence was once again electric, as his people saw and felt his aura.

He kissed and hugged Eirwen, Rebecca, and Luna, each of them welcoming him back. Jasmine was watching Shara, and it seemed like she barely even registered it, far too busy looking at the city with wide eyes. He then turned to the Star Oni, who were finishing their rides and arrivals into the plaza, looking at the city with wide eyes.

Nick addressed them all, spreading his arms wide and gesturing to the city. “You’ve been through many hardships, but you are now all finally here. Fatestrider Clan…welcome to Frosthaven, your new home.”

His Followers clapped, and the many citizens present shouted out their welcomes to the new people. As expected, Eirwen had prompted the few people around, and they were ready to give a warm welcome to their new warriors and potential protectors.

Myron and Shara both had wide smiles as they dismounted the vehicle, and their people had looks of relief that were palpable as they got off their bikes, and the priestesses of Seraphara came to help them store them. 

The Star Oni had fought hard for months throughout the jungle in this strange world against a horrible bandit lord and monsters, and now, they were safe and in their new, welcoming home. Bags of toiletries and simple clothes were handed out to each Star Oni, ensuring that they had the bare necessities.

Marissa had handed Shara her bag, and she looked inside it. She pulled out a drawstring tunic, and a toothbrush as she was rummaging through it. “Wow. How thoughtful, thank you so much.”

The nun smiled at her. “You’re very welcome. If you need anything at all, Seraphara’s compassion is always available in her Cathedral, with no strings attached.” She gestured over to it, and Shara was more than a little impressed at its grandeur.     

Eirwen stepped forward, addressing the Star Oni. “Welcome to Frosthaven, everyone. For now, let’s get you all settled in the temporary housing. We are still trying to keep up with construction and refurnishing of the ruins for the many other new residents here, as we’ve grown a lot recently. Eventually, we should be able to give everyone a proper home to call their own. But for now, I hope you won’t mind your accommodations.”

She turned to Shara, and spoke in a much lower voice, a friendly smile on her face. “You must be Shara, it’s so nice to finally meet you! I’m Eirwen. I hope that we can get along, this is Rebecca, and this is Luna.” She motioned to Nick’s other wives, who approached with friendly smiles. 

Rebecca and Luna both nodded and said their welcomes, and Shara nodded at each before turning back to Eirwen. “Ah…you’re the one that can…share his senses, like Jasmine here. It’s nice to meet you.”

Eirwen nodded. “Luna and I both can. It’s helpful for times like that, where we’re separated, though so abruptly was very new! So anyway, this is a lot of people, and I know you’ve been traveling for quite some time. Let’s get y’all situated and comfortable for now, and we’ll have a real welcome party for them once they’re all rested and can truly enjoy it.” She gestured to the elevator, and Myron guided his people in.

Nick spoke with Lothar and Renzou, and they said they’d debrief him tomorrow about the Shadowvale assault and the results. He met Turon again, and the bear beastfolk man was shocked to learn that Thresh too was dead.  

The Star Oni were taken down in groups, and it required several trips down with the elevator. His girls helped guide several groups down, though Fang and Sable, and Jasmine all headed off to handle different errands now that they were back in town. 

They had previously rushed off from the Shadowvale battle to meet up with Nick as fast as possible. So their bags were full of items to hand over to Lumos, and Fang and Sable wanted to sort things out with the monsterfolk girls and the rest.

The hundred plus Star Oni now stood in the plaza with the fountain, looking over everything in the underground mall, Nick’s Heritage, with wide eyes.  

He was proud to show off his underground place, him finally joining Myron and Shara, and the rest of his wives. “What do you think, Shara? Is it amazing or what?”

“It’s…really something else. Like a pocket realm. The Qi even feels different down here. If I could cultivate, it seems like I could use it much better.”

Nick frowned. “Why can’t you cultivate, by the way? I’d have thought Myron here would have had you hopped up on those pills from his sparkly bag and leveling like crazy by now.”

Myron laughed, and Shara blushed as she replied, “It’s um…related to being with our Fated. Us Star Oni women can’t cultivate until we merge our fates.”

“Oh. Huh. Is that why it was mostly women that were in the first Stratum?”

Myron chuckled. “Noticed that, did you? More specifically, with our techniques they cannot. Star Oni can, but Fatestrider women cannot. I am curious how this might change with Orion, but I’d be inclined to think for those that want to follow the Fatestrider path, this will need to continue.” 

They continued their march as a large group, taking in the sights of the mall. The many golems running the stores were of interest, having many talking about the special constructs.

Eventually, they arrived at one of the hotel sections. It looked like a highrise condo building, and it had numerous floors and units within on each floor, of which it went high up toward the ceiling of the place.

“Here’s a place your people can stay. It’s like a Hotel. Vi, can you set this to free for now, for all of the Star Oni? I’ll foot the bill for now.” 

Vi replied, “It is done, Milord.”

Myron looked around at the sound of VI’s voice. “What was that?”

“That’s Vi, the VIrtual Intelligence here. She takes care of administering the Ordeals and the city. Your people can call out to her from anywhere down here, and she can aid you at any time.”

“Some kind of information spirit? Very peculiar.”

They helped them get sorted in the rooms, leading all the Star Oni inside. Thanks to having their bags from the priestesses, they should have everything they needed in the mall.

The Star Oni thanked them, and went to enter their assigned rooms after understanding that they would be called upon for the rebirthing and other plans, and given Myron’s room number for reaching him. Anyone could contact Vi to reach out to each other and could be used to give announcements, so the AI served yet another useful purpose. 

This was going to be their new home for the near future, and many wouldn’t need to work for some time. Nick had learned that most of them had collected some money from the many bandits they slayed over the last few months, though it wasn’t like they were rich with Orion coin. 

“Now, with your people settled, we’ll see about handling integration, your mother, and anything else. Winny, did you learn anything about that already?”

Eirwen nodded. “I’ve already grabbed the necessary addons, hubby. I checked quite a few of the spirits showing on the list, and it seems we’ll be able to rebirth just about any of them with a new body, and they will keep their memories and won’t be restricted.”

Myron and Shara let out sighs of relief, and Shara said, “Oh, that’s wonderful!”

Nick wondered, “That’s great news, but why won’t they be restricted?” 

Rebecca replied, “It’s because their knowledge isn’t fully applicable to Orion and its system. It is an advantage, but no more than what many of those rebirthed or young ones prepared by powerful families receive.”

Myron’s eyes were wide, but he looked alarmed. “Are you sure that you can do that for my wife? Can you make sure?”  

Nick remembered her name from Shara’s stories. “Vi, is Elyra available to be rebirthed? Creating her a fourth stratum body is not possible, right?”

“That is correct, it is restricted currently until the Open Relay is established. As an Outlander above the first stratum, Elyra is marked to require rebirth. We can keep her memories, and it will simply take five days and 18 hours to generate her a brand-new first stratum body. We just need you within the chamber to begin the process.”

“Guess I better head over there now. What about Myron here, how does he get uh…rebirthed?” Nick realized how weird this was going to probably be, logistically.

Vi replied, “Using the recycling add-on, it is possible to rebirth in only three days. It takes that long for the soul and mind to properly synchronize with their cores and body.” 

Nick grimaced, realizing it was even worse than he thought. “Recycle… does that mean what I think it means?”

“The corpses are dissolved and then reconstituted using their–”

Nick interrupted, “Okay, that’s enough of that, Vi. I guess it will be kind of up to each individual if they want to uh…go through that or not.”

Eirwen chuckled. “I think if you see how it works, it won’t look as bad as you are imagining, hubby. Still, you’re right in that it might be best left to each person to decide.”

“So Myron, you ready to get rebirthed, or? Perhaps it might be best for you to wait, until either some others have been done and can feel confident, or maybe once your wife has returned, huh?” 

Myron rubbed his chin. “Good call, Young Lord. I do think it’s best I am not gone for long at this time. What about this…initiation for our first stratum people? What does that entail?”

Eirwen said, “They just need to visit the new shrine. Follow me.”

It was only Myron and Shara, as well as Nick’s family following over to the shrine, as the rest of the Star Oni went inside the hotel to get situated. A few were talking to the priestesses and receiving some minor healing. 

They walked through the mall, arriving at a small shrine that made Nick groan. It was a domed structure with pillars in an area down the stairs off to the side, not that far off from the main elevator entrance.

Eirwen giggled. “It’s another statue of hubby!”

Nick’s statue was standing there, in a larger than life size, with his sword held out downward and at an angle. It was as if he were knighting someone, and there was a plaque next to it.

Rebecca said, “It’s also where people can become a follower. Of course, we wouldn’t want any random person in town to be able to become your Follower. You can’t possibly protect that number of souls, so we limit it by only allowing those trusted Followers bring inside here to do so. Then, initiating people does have an energy cost from the Ordeals. Again, this shouldn’t be something that we just allow any random Outlander who shows up to be able to do.”

“Good thinking girls.”

The scripts on the plaque were written in Orion Common, detailing the nature of the Soul Pact.

Shara walked over, and a prompt appeared in front of her, much like it did during the Trial.

[Would you like to be initiated into Orion? Your Dantians and spiritual roots will be permanently altered, and some means of cultivation may no longer be available to you.]

Shara suddenly looked worried, and doubtful. “Um… I don’t think I like this.”

Myron frowned. “I have to agree. It is an amazing fact, but it is worrisome, daughter. Perhaps, we should wait and see others complete it to see the effects before you initiate.” 

Nick asked, “What’s the matter?”

Shara said, “One of the things that makes our people special is our ability to merge our fates. Changing these items…we might lose this ability.”

Myron nodded, letting out a breath. “I had no idea it would go as deep as our spiritual roots, but I suppose this makes sense. This was what usually separated between who could cultivate and who could not, or even between the talented or blessed and the worthless. To grant a root or alter it was usually in defiance of the heavens… Still, those who are being rebirthed or resurrected won’t have much of a choice, will they?”

Shara said, “But their fates would have already merged when it comes to the women. We had a couple of men with no pairs, but will they even be able to find them?”

Nick frowned. “Is there a way of knowing, I wonder? We can talk with Irene, our scholar…or maybe Shak’terra would know?”

Shak’terra suddenly appeared, floating above Eirwen’s shoulder as she called out to her with her magic. The small, spectral blue flame in the shape of the troll spoke, “You’re in need of guidance, fierce little sheep?”

“You know of Outlanders, right? What happens to them when they initiate to Orion, will it ruin their…special racial abilities?”

“Depends on what it is. Can you tell me more?”

It took Myron and Shara a bit to explain and answer all Shak’terra’s questions about Fated and how they make their mark. Nick even learned a couple of things about what the Star Oni females might be able to do when they reached the second stratum. Their berserking abilities didn’t just make them strong. 

Eventually Shak’terra said, “Hm. I think one of two things will be true. Either they can never be Fated with someone under the Orion System, or it would still function without issue. And since the pink-haired one here says Lord Noblefrost is her Fated… I’m inclined to believe it will continue to work. Of course, there is one way to ensure that it works… You could just mark him, then initiate.”

Shara looked over at Nick with a thoughtful, but then conflicted expression, but Myron asked, “What advantages do my people get for initiating? Is it merely gaining essence from Orion in that tower, and the challenges we overcome? If so, can we just not initiate?”

Rebecca replied, “If you’re not under the Orion System, your only means to progress in this world is not that different from those that are initiated. You must obtain Qi, or Essence, by cultivating within the Ordeals, Roaming Trials, or similar. Then, by collecting beast cores and herbs, and refining their essences into special pills. However, ascending is already very challenging, and going against the world makes it even more so. Because they are not being awarded Essence by Orion, they will take much more time within the Ordeal absorbing essence to achieve the same thing, making it more dangerous. Then, the rewards it provides won’t be nearly as applicable to you. Cultivators should understand that progressing through pills alone is terrible.”

Myron grimaced as he looked over to Shara. “This is true. With our Scions, we try to mix closed door cultivation and conflict in to earn resources such as the pills, as well as encourage them to find their own insights rather than everything being spoon-fed to them. Not all that different from Orion all told, but without being able to cultivate to supplement the pills, the pill toxicity will overwhelm them without perfect creations from rare materials. Still, Nicholas owns several Ordeals, so that means she can use them to cultivate when you enter, right? Perhaps she will not have to initiate.”

Shara frowned, looking at Nick. “But it sounds like I will fall even further behind. That… I don’t want to be a burden, too…” 

Nick said, “But couldn’t you also go where monsters gather their essence and filter that for cultivation somehow? I’d think there was a way to cultivate even the wild essence in the wilderness.”

Shak’terra laughed. “That’s a good way to get a Roaming Trial to land on your head, Young Lord. And a deadly one, at that. That’s going against Orion’s Will, and it will not play nice at all if you do that. Your chance of survival will be possible, but quite unlikely.” 

She added, “It’s possible to ascend without being initiated to Orion, through those methods the little angel mentioned. I’ve heard of people who have accomplished this. The issue is that they never achieved perfection, often unable to reach the peak. And the number of resources they needed to gather to ascend required them to travel through several kingdoms, plundering everything not nailed down while avoiding that same Roaming Trial I mentioned before. Murdering a lord and taking over his Ordeal was the easier, more realistic option, and I think that says a lot,” Shak’terra chuckled.

Of course, murdering a lord protected by all his numerous subordinates and then the heirs, stealing the Ordeal and becoming a Dark Kingdom, was not easy. Nick thought about the number of spirits in the second or third stratum he had within his Archives. It sounded like the path to progress above there was very challenging without slots in an Ordeal, and so they had been willing to enter stasis for a mere chance at one.

Rebecca noted, “It seems we don’t have much of a choice for those that have fallen and need resurrection. We could…see if any of them could find their Fated, afterwards? Or perhaps is there any indication about the mark for those who already marked them? Some sign that your racial ability is working?”

Myron smiled. “Ah, that’s right. Elyra should definitely be able to tell when she wakes up and looks at me. Let’s simply hold off on any of that until she is reborn, a week from now. How do we begin this process?”

“Less than a week until I can see mother again.” Shara smiled. “That is wonderful news.”

Nick said, “We can head up and I’ll show you. I just have to deposit her soul along with a few others to get them started.”

Myron nodded. “I’m eager to see how this works.”

The party then headed up to his home, the elevator nearby able to take them straight to it. Myron and Shara marveled at the sleek black and white walls and lights as they walked down the halls, and they entered the Genesis Chamber.

The strange capsules lined the far wall, but the room had expanded. In addition to the larger capsule that was necessary to make Jasmine’s crazy body, there were several more, a total of eight. There were also a few new machines added with piping to them, which led to the capsules.

Eirwen said, “That’s the recycling module over there. Basically, you let the person get inside any of the capsules, and you retrieve their spirit so that the process can begin. It’s not like they experience death as their bodies dissolve or something gruesome like that, more like they go to sleep, and wake up with their new body, right? And you can’t just throw a corpse in there, not unless it’s only been a very short period. So it’s not too weird if you ask me.”

Myron was stroking his chin as he looked over everything. “Such advanced technology. I’ve never seen anything like it. I suppose without your mastery over the soul, this entire place would be meaningless. The bodies these things create would be nothing more than lifeless husks.”

Nick brought up the list of souls on the tablet, and selected Elyra first. To his surprise, the soul shot from Myron’s chest, to Nick, and then into the tubes and into the larger, expanded capsule. It appeared her body required it.

“Damn, she’s a big girl, huh?”

Myron grinned. “You got that right, Young Lord. It’s strange though. She’s being rebirthed at the first stratum, right? She only got so big as her realm increased. Shara should end up about the same height, no doubt. Surely, she could fit in that smaller capsule?”

Shara blushed, as she looked at Nick. “I…hope you don’t mind. I know…you’re not used to that.”

Nick looked up at her, smiling. “I like it. If old Myron here can handle it, we don’t have anything to worry about at all.”

Shara smiled and Kaya snorted, but didn’t add anything as Rebecca cleared her throat. “Maybe because of her soul, her body had to be made a little closer to the original? But probably, within reason. Somewhere in between her old size and that of a first stratum Star Oni person.”

Shara was still smiling, but looked over to the capsule as the energies inside moved and fluids were injected inside. “I like that. It would really feel like it wasn’t her if we saw eye to eye.”

Nick frowned. “Jasper needs the larger capsule now that he’s bigger, so I can’t start his body back up yet. That sucks. Next week buddy, I’m sorry.” He stirred Jasper’s soul within him as he said it, receiving a feeling of contentment in response. It seemed the loyal Frostwarg was fine with waiting a little longer. Nick then turned to Myron, “Who should I revive here first?”

Myron went over the list, and they selected seven more Star Oni to be revived, leaders of families and some of the more talented warriors. There were so many that needed to be done, he was sure they would buy some more upgrades to the chamber just to speed up the process. They had nearly a hundred that required it, between those that were dead and those that needed to be rebirthed on Orion. It would take months.

Not only that, but he had a lot of loyal Noblefrost Followers in the Archives that could be revived or rebirthed. There were plenty of first stratum people contained within, that there were no concerns about them losing their memories.

Eirwen had already spent most of the DP they earned on upgrading the efficiency, adding the recycler, and the extra capsules. They would have to earn some more to speed things up further, something he was not opposed to.

Thankfully, Nick knew of a way that should earn them some benefits, including DP. There were four challenges that his people were completely ready to handle here in the mall. 

Eirwen clapped her hands together, turning to Myron and Shara. “Now that that is taken care of…would you two like some dinner? Luna and I prepared a nice meal, and we’d love it if you joined us. Jasmine’s already heating things up, and the other girls are back from their errands.”

Shara looked uncomfortable. “Um… I don’t know. I’m a bit tired, and we wouldn’t want to impose…”

Luna chuckled, her tail wagging behind her. “Not at all. We always make plenty, and you’re already here! We were expecting you, and had hoped you would join us. You deserve a nice meal after such a challenging journey!” 

Shara once again seemed to want to refuse, but Myron cleared his throat. “We’d love to, thank you for the invite. We haven’t had a good meal in months, other than some wild boar.”

Luna nearly dragged the much larger Shara away, with everyone else following except Kaya hanging back with Nick.

She batted his face with one of her tails, with a smirk. “I don’t know how you do it, Nick. How is the girl’s father your cupid? Most beastfolk dads make it harder to claim their daughters, not easier.”

Nick was gonna tease her a bit by grabbing her tail, until he realized something about her phrasing. “What the hell, they got cupids on Orion?”

Kaya snorted. “I dunno, they might just be in stories like yours, I guess. But probably. They’re like light imps, right?”

“Whatever. What do you think about Shara so far?”

She shrugged. “There’s not too much to say. I don’t get the feeling she dislikes me exactly, but she’s reserved, and she keeps us all at her long arm’s length. I want to fight her to get to know her better.” Kaya then grinned. “But I bet you Winny, Becca and Luna can kill her with kindness, and I can see you’re already winning her over. When Shak’terra said that thing about marking you first, she was conflicted. It almost looked like she wanted to do it and get it over with, or something like that. She’s both resigned and eager.”

He put his arm around her, and started walking her out of the room. “Alright. Let’s get some real food in our bellies. It’s been tough, roughing it a whole week without Winny’s cookin’.”

Kaya rolled her eyes. “Oh yeah, you had it so hard riding through the cave and spending the nights in your cottage.”

“You enjoyed the cottage too, if I remember correctly. It’s a good thing for that sound dampening enchantment, I have to thank Lumos for that. The roof might have caved from an errant large rock.”